4th Sunday of Lent 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Today we reflect on one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us: reconciliation. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all experience brokenness in our lives — broken relationships, broken promises, and at times, a broken connection with God. But the good news is that God is always ready to welcome us back, to restore us, and to make us new.

The story of the Prodigal Son in today’s Gospel is not just a tale from long ago. It is our story. It is the story of humanity, a story of wandering away, hitting rock bottom, and finding our way back to the loving arms of the Father. And in his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us, "Whoever is in Christ is a new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). God is not just interested in forgiving our sins — He wants to transform us, to make us new.

Let me begin with a story.

There was a young man named Christopher who had a complicated relationship with his father. He always felt that his father was too strict, too demanding. So, at the age of 18, Christopher left home, determined to make his own way. He moved to another city, cut off communication with his family, and lived as he pleased. But as the years passed, he made poor choices — he fell into addiction, lost his job, and ended up homeless.

One day, overwhelmed with regret, he wrote a letter to his father:

"Dad, I don’t know if you will ever forgive me. I have wasted everything you taught me. I have hurt you and Mom. If you are willing to have me back, I will take the train to our town next Saturday. If you want me to come home, just tie a white cloth on the old apple tree in front of our house. If I don’t see anything, I’ll understand and keep going."

That Saturday, as the train approached his hometown, Christopher was too afraid to look. He asked the man sitting next to him, "Sir, we are about to pass my house. Could you do me a favor? Look out the window and tell me if there is a white cloth on the tree."

The man looked out and gasped. "Son, there’s not just one cloth — the entire tree is with white cloths! And there is a man standing at the gate!"

Brethren, this is the love of our Heavenly Father! He does not just forgive us — He celebrates our return. No matter how far we have strayed, no matter what we have done, God is waiting for us with open arms.

Jesus gives us this parable of the Prodigal Son to teach us about God's boundless mercy. The younger son demands his inheritance — essentially telling his father, "I wish you were dead so I could have my share now." He then squanders everything on reckless living. When he finally runs out of money and finds himself hungry and alone, he realizes the depth of his mistake. Notice what he says: "I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’” (Lk 15:18).

Here is the turning point: He recognizes his need for forgiveness and makes the decision to return.

Now, imagine the father. Every day, he waits, hoping to see his son again. And when he finally spots him from a distance, he does something shocking — he runs. In ancient times, an old man running was considered undignified. But love doesn’t care about dignity. The father embraces his son, not even letting him finish his prepared speech. Instead of scolding him, he restores him with a robe, a ring, and a feast.

This is what happens when we turn back to God. He does not just forgive us — He restores us to our dignity as His beloved children.

But there is another character in the story — the elder son. He is the one who stayed, who followed all the rules, and yet, he is bitter when his brother is welcomed home. He refuses to enter the feast, saying: "Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends." (Lk 15:29).

The elder son reminds us that sometimes, our biggest struggle is not receiving forgiveness, but giving it. How often do we hold onto resentment, thinking others don’t deserve mercy?

But the father gently reminds him: "My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours." (Lk 15:31). Reconciliation is not just about being forgiven — it is about having a heart that forgives.

St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading: "[God has] given us the ministry of reconciliation," (2 Cor 5:18). That means we are not just called to be reconciled to God, but also to bring reconciliation into our families, friendships, and communities.

Let me share another story.

There were two brothers, David and John, who lived on neighboring farms but had not spoken to each other in years due to a misunderstanding. One day, David hired a carpenter to build a fence between their properties to keep John away. But when the carpenter finished his work, it wasn’t a fence — it was a bridge! David was shocked, but before he could react, John came across the bridge, smiled, and said, "Brother, after all these years, you built a bridge? Thank you!" They embraced, and their relationship was restored.

Beloved, how often do we build fences instead of bridges? God calls us to be peacemakers, to forgive, and to seek reconciliation.

As we reflect on today’s readings, let us ask ourselves:

Are we like the Prodigal Son, in need of returning to the Father?

Are we like the elder son, struggling to forgive?

Are we ambassadors of reconciliation, bringing peace to others?

Today, God is calling us to come home. No matter how far we have wandered, no matter what we have done, the Father is waiting for us, arms wide open.

And when we make that journey back, He does not just forgive — He celebrates.

So let us take that step, let us seek reconciliation, and let us rejoice in the love of our merciful Father.

Amen.